Back burn in Gippsland

Residents in the Heyfield and Glenmaggie areas are advised that a 180 hectare back burn will be undertaken Sunday 20th January, starting around 10:00am.

Incident Controller Michael Masters said CFA and DSE will undertake this joint operation today around 10:00am due to the likelihood of a very high fire weather day predicted for Thursday 24th January. The risk of high temperatures and a north westerly wind possess a very significant risk to the Aberfeldy-Donnelly bushfire breaking containment lines if we don’t back burn today.

This critical 180 hectare back burn will reduce fuel loads in the unburnt area 5 kilometres south of Glenmaggie and 6 kilometres northwest of Heyfield; however smoke will be highly visible from surrounding communities and remind people to take care as smoke may cause health issues Mr Masters said.

Fire crews are also working on the eastern perimeter in the Coongulla state forest north east of Glenmaggie to strengthen containment lines

The Aberfeldy-Donnelly fire has burnt approximately 53,000 hectares of both private and public land and has some 500 fire crews from many parts of the State working around the clock to fully contain the fire.